CASE collects institutional-level data on philanthropy from around the world. Institutions which submit CASE surveys have access to this data, which they can leverage to identify and benchmark against similar institutions. In this session, we demonstrate how to use R to access SQL databases, create visualizations, and conduct regression analysis on philanthropy data. Upon completion, participants will be able to use data for storytelling and strategic thinking.

"Join us for an interactive and guided panel discussion on automating the collection of marketing data, processing this data (ingest, deduplication, matching), and analyzing the data collected (visualize, report, insight delivery). In this session, plan to have open, casual dialogue with the panelists and your DRIVE peers on innovative strategies that streamline the automation of marketing communications such as event data, survey feedback, web analytics, social media, or email interactions. Whether you are just starting with your first survey, or you are looking to find solutions to better marketing automation, you will walk away from this session with useful perspectives on automation and practical applications of data collection."

Defining the right KPIs is an evolving process. The tools and visuals used to report on them can also evolve over time. At McGill, we’ve been reporting on prospect pipeline indicators for over 15 years. During that time, we’ve moved from collating printouts in a 3-inch binder to a one-click dashboard. Discover how we refined the process over time, what considerations were taken at each step of the evolution and how we adapted to changing needs and to our growing expertise.

Sometimes, we’re asked questions that feel like they’re in a different language. At times, we really are speaking two different languages and translation is a challenge. But all languages have some things in common and with a little work, you can often find creative solutions to communicate with one another. Have you been asked to articulate and support your request for expanded staffing? What about being asked to predict cash receipts for University budgets during times of economic uncertainty? The finance office or Dean wants to see one thing, but your fundraising database isn’t exactly aligned. This session will present several ways existing data can be used to help development leadership clarify the need for additional staff resources, articulate the impact gift officers have on total fundraising results, and demonstrate ways in which past and projected staffing and cash receipts can predict cash flow in a language both sides understand. No shouting, pointing, or 'cave speak' required.

Most Prospect Management models rely on the gift cycle to categorize prospects. But is this the most accurate way to describe a prospect's philanthropic engagement with the institution? Does a prospect being cultivated for their first major gift really fall in the same category as a seasoned donor being cultivated for their 10th? The Prospect Development Team at Temple University decided to reframe the way they code and report on prospects based on simple measurements on the donors' records. This enabled the team to engage with the fundraisers they partner with to uncover new opportunities and allowed fundraisers to approach their portfolios in a more strategic way.

Are our donor funds being utilized? Are there any fund issues we need to address? Should we be worried when we send out our annual donor fund reports? If you’ve ever had these concerns, you’re not alone. In recent years, many nonprofit organizations have been grappling with similar questions, finding little guidance on this vital aspect of any advancement operation. Join us in this session as we look at the University of Nebraska Foundation’s journey to grow its funds management team from the ground up, leveraging donor fund data along the way. It’s time to bring the discussion on funds management challenges out of closed-door conversations and begin an industry dialogue to identify what tools, resources, and standards need to be in place to successfully manage and steward donor funds. Whether you are new to funds management or seasoned in the field, come prepared to share your experiences and glean insights from others in this collaborative space.

Professional schools, nestled within the ecosystem of a larger university, face unique challenges in engaging their alumni base and fundraising for their priorities. Building a robust reporting infrastructure has become a strategic imperative for these institutions, given the intricate dynamics at play. In this presentation, we will delve into the journey of establishing a comprehensive reporting system for Yale Law School , seamlessly integrating giving data, prospect ratings, and gift officer metrics. What sets this initiative apart is its commitment to creating an intuitive reporting portal that empowers not only technical experts but also non-technical staff. We will explore the complexities encountered, the solutions implemented, and the transformative impact achieved, recognizing the distinct challenges and opportunities that arise when aligning the goals of a unit with those of a broader academic institution. Join us as we unveil a blueprint for data-driven decision-making that enables professional schools, as integral units within a larger university, to foster alumni relationships and drive philanthropic success with confidence and in harmony with the broader mission of the institution.

We created dashboards allowing a pro-active approach to successfully collecting pledges. By becoming aware of the high risk pledges, Fundraising professionals were are able to focus on the high risk donors, to properly steward and sustain their affinity to the university. Thus, mitigating the risk and increasing the chance that the donor will fulfill their pledge.

All organizations are striving for continuous improvement, and getting feedback from your stakeholders is essential to that goal. One of the best ways to get that feedback is by surveying your constituents - students, families, employees, alumni and/or donors. Learn how to conduct your own survey research, even on a modest (or non-existent!) budget, and collect actionable data to help you improve your organization.

As personalized and curated experiences continue to take over digital and commercial spaces, donor engagement teams must continually innovate to keep up. All-in-one solutions can provide small teams with scalable platforms and comprehensive tools that drive results, but they often come with limitations in product development that don’t meet the needs of individual clients. Over the last year, Georgia State University’s Donor Engagement and Communications team has used data analysis, strategic engagement and personalized outreach to develop an internal donor experience program focused on long-term results: the acquisition and retention of mid-level donors with the aim of carrying them through the “murky middle” and establishing them as our next generation of major donors.